A ten-year-old boy from Teignmouth has given struggling families a very special Christmas gift after organising a massive collection for the town’s food bank.

Harrison Hancock, who is in Year 6 at Hazeldown Primary School, liaised with the Richard Nerwton Community Hall and the Teign Corinthian Yacht Club to organise collection stations for Teignmouth Mutual Aid Community Larder, which provides essential food and supplies to those in need.

On Wednesday (December 17), he delivered 25 ‘very full’ bags of food to Bitton House where they were packed up for local families and individuals.

Teignmouth Mutual Aid Community Larder said it was ‘thrilled to receive such a terrific donation’ as Harrison handed over his bags to the volunteers.

Harrison decided to support the food bank after talking with his family about the difficulties some people face at this time of year as they balance the costs of gifts with rising heating, lighting and food bills. He was so moved by the role that Teignmouth Mutual Aid Community Larder plays in the town that he opted to support the charity as part of his efforts to achieve the Torbay and Devon Civic Award.

But, rather than just organising a collection among friends and family, he approached the Richard Newton Community Hall to see if they could help. He bravely spoke in front of the Hall committee, trustees and representatives from community groups and clubs that use the facility to explain what Teignmouth Mutual Aid Community Larder does and to request permission to set up collection stations in the building. The Hall committee agreed and sent out an email to all groups, encouraging contributions.

Harrison’s efforts soon gained wider attention, and the Teign Corinthian Yacht Club offered to host an additional collection station.

Teignmouth mayor councillor Cate Williams, who is also honorary secretary of the Richard Newton Hall, was hugely impressed by Harrison’s efforts. ‘Harrison has gone above and beyond in his efforts to achieve the Torbay and Devon Civic Award,’ she commented. ‘His actions embody the true spirit of the Award: community, compassion and leadership.’

Harrison said he was very grateful for the kindness and support of the Richard Newton Hall volunteers, committee, members and club users and the Teign Corinthian Yacht Club for their help in making his collection a success.

The Torbay and Devon Civic Award was founded in 2004 by former teacher Karen Thomson. She developed the initiative to encourage pupils in the final year of primary school to demonstrate active citizenship and to support a charitable cause.

Over the past 21 years, the Civic Award has grown and last year nearly 500 children from 40 primary schools took part in the scheme bringing the total number of youngsters to achieve the award to nearly 5,000.

To receive the award, children must show that they are active citizens by: taking up positions of responsibility in school and volunteering in their local community; being regularly involved in hobbies; going on a residential and taking part in adventure activities; adopting and supporting a cause or charity; and making a pledge to help the environment.